Cosmetic composition

ABSTRACT

A cosmetic composition for treating nails is provided to remove nail polish, to nourish and strengthen the nails and to moisturize and soften the cuticles around the nails.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a cosmetic composition. In amore specific aspect, this invention relates to a cosmetic compositionfor treating fingernails and toenails (sometimes collectively referredto in this application as “nails”).

[0002] The present invention also provides a process for treating nailswith a cosmetic composition.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In the cosmetic industry of today, a multitude of compositionsare commercially available to achieve various effects for the skin andface of a person.

[0004] Particularly, cosmetic compositions have been developed for aperson's hands and feet, specifically the fingernails and toenails.These compositions are designed and formulated to provide color andother effects to the nails of a person's hands and feet. An example of apopular cosmetic composition in this area is nail polish, which isavailable in a wide variety of colors from clear to vividly intenseshades.

[0005] Of course, the development of nail polish resulted in a need fora composition to remove the nail polish so that, for example, the colorcan be changed. In this way, different colors can be used for accents atvarious functions or for various purposes.

[0006] However, a disadvantage to nail polish removal compositions isthat the use of such compositions may tend to weaken the nails. Thispotential disadvantage has lead to the development of compositions whichare designed and formulated to nourish and strengthen nails andcompositions which are designed and formulated to moisturize and softencuticles. As these compositions, however, are separate from a nailpolish remover composition, the user must purchase and apply thesecompositions in separate steps, which can result in a lengthy process.

[0007] In view of the above discussion, there is a need in the cosmeticindustry for a composition which can be used, in a single step, (a) toremove nail polish, (b) to nourish and strengthen the nails to overcomeany potential weakening of the nails by the nail polish removercomposition and (c) to moisturize and soften the cuticles around thenails.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Briefly described, the present invention provides a cosmeticcomposition for treating nails. The composition of this inventionprovides for the removal of nail polish, for the nourishing andstrengthening of the nails and for the moisturizing and softening ofcuticles.

[0009] Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a cosmeticcomposition.

[0010] Another object of this invention is to provide a cosmeticcomposition which removes nail polish from fingernails and toenails.

[0011] Another object of this invention is to provide a cosmeticcomposition which nourishes nails.

[0012] Another object of this invention is to provide a cosmeticcomposition which strengthens nails.

[0013] Another object of this invention is to provide a cosmeticcomposition which moisturizes cuticles.

[0014] Another object of this invention is to provide a cosmeticcomposition which softens cuticles.

[0015] Still another object of this invention is to provide a cosmeticcomposition which can be applied as a liquid, cream, gel or other form.

[0016] Still another object of this invention is to provide a cosmeticcomposition which can be applied through a pad.

[0017] Still another object of this invention is to provide a cosmeticcomposition which can be applied as a liquid on a sponge positionedwithin a jar or other container.

[0018] These and other objects, features and advantages of thisinvention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] In accordance with the present invention, nails are treated witha cosmetic composition which (a) removes nail polish, (b) nourishes andstrengthens the nails and (c) moisturizes and softens the cuticlesaround the nails. This invention achieves these functions with a singlecomposition. More than one application of the composition may be desiredby the user, depending on the particular circumstances.

[0020] Specifically, the cosmetic composition of this invention isessentially comprised of water; a solvent component which breaks downthe nail polish; a component which stabilizes the composition; acomponent which nourishes and strengthens the nails; and a componentwhich moisturizes and softens the cuticles.

[0021] The cosmetic composition of this invention may be applied to thenails in a variety of forms, such as a liquid, cream, gel, through a pador as a liquid contained in a sponge positioned within a jar or othercontainer. A liquid form is preferred.

[0022] The process of this invention is practiced by applying thecosmetic composition to the nails with a brush, pad, cloth or othermeans of application (such as the above-described “sponge in a jar”.

[0023] This composition contains water and a solvent component which iscapable of breaking down the nail polish so that the polish can beremoved. The term “breaking down” means that the bond between the polishand the nail is broken, which renders the polish removable. While manysolvents can be used, preferred solvents are ethyl acetate, propylenecarbonate, acetone, dimethyl ester or a mixture of two or more of thesesolvents. The solvent component is present in the range of about 40 toabout 85, preferably about 45 to about 80, percent by weight.

[0024] The amount of water present in these compositions is from about10 to about 25, preferably from about 15 to about 20, percent by weight.

[0025] A stabilizing component is used in the composition of thisinvention. Several stabilizing agents are effective, but the preferredagents are glycerin, propylene glycol, castor oil, isopropyl alcohol andspecially denatured alcohols. A mixture of two or more of these agentscan be used. The stabilizing component is generally used in amountswhich range from about 1.0 to about 35, preferably about 2.0 to about30.0, percent by weight.

[0026] Another essential component is one which moisturizes and softensthe cuticle area around the nails. Preferred materials are glycerin,propylene glycol, castor oil or a mixture of two or more of thesematerials. This component is generally present in an amount of about 1.0to about 5.0, preferably about 2.0 to about 3.0, percent by weight.

[0027] The component which serves to moisturize and soften the cuticleseffectively prevents drying of the cuticles, adds back natural oils tothe cuticles and softens the cuticles.

[0028] An essential component is a material which nourishes andstrengthens the nails. Preferred materials are panthenol and vitamin Eacetate oil, but other materials can be used. A mixture of two or moreof these materials can also be used.

[0029] The nourishing and strengthening component is generally used inan amount from about 0.01 to about 0.5, preferably about 0.04 to about0.4, percent by weight.

[0030] Certain components may provide more than one function in thecomposition of this invention. For example, glycerin, propylene glycoland castor oil can be used to provide a stabilizing effect and tomoisturize and soften the cuticles.

[0031] Optionally, the cosmetic compositions of this invention maycontain additional components to achieve different results. Examples ofsuch optional components are fragrances, perfumes, pH adjusting agents(for example, citric acid), thickening agents (such as gelatin),colorants, co-solvents, etc. These optional components are used invarying amounts, as determined by the desired results in view of theother components.

[0032] Another optional component of this composition is a materialwhich has a bitter or bad taste and, therefore, deters ingestion of thecomposition. Thus, this component adds a safety feature to thecomposition. A preferred material is a denatonium benzoate-alcoholsolution. One or more of these materials can be used. This component canbe present in an amount of about 0.0001 to about 0.05, preferably about0.0005 to about 0.01, percent by weight.

[0033] The following are two especially preferred cosmetic compositionsin accordance with the present invention. Composition No. 1 ComponentWeight Percent Range Ethyl Acetate 35-55 Specially Denatured Alcohol20-35 Water 15-25 Propylene Carbonate 1-5 Dimethyl Ester 1-4 Glycerin0.5-1.5 Fragrance 0.1-1.5 Propylene Glycol 0.1-0.5 Isopropyl Alcohol0.1-0.5 Panthenol 0.1-0.5 Castor Oil 0.01-0.1  DenatoniumBenzoate-Alcohol Solution 0.0001-0.1   Liquid Gelatin 0.0001-0.01 

[0034] Composition No. 2 Component Weight Percent Range Acetone 65-80Water 15-25 Propylene Carbonate 1-5 Glycerin 1-4 Dimethyl Ester 1-4Propylene Glycol 0.5-2   Fragrance 0.1-1.5 Panthenol 0.1-0.5 Vitamin EAcetate Oil 0.01-0.05 Denatonium Benzoate-Alcohol Solution 0.0001-0.1  Citric Acid 0.0001-0.01  Liquid Gelatin 0.0001-0.01 

[0035] These two compositions provide excellent results in regard to theremoval of nail polish, the nourishing and strengthening of the nailsand the moisturizing and softening of the cuticles around the nails.

[0036] This invention has been described in detail with particularreference to certain embodiments, but variations and modifications canbe made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asdefined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cosmetic composition for treating nails toremove nail polish, to nourish and strengthen the nails and tomoisturize and soften cuticles, wherein the composition essentiallycomprises: A. water; B. a solvent component which breaks down the nailpolish; C. a stabilizing component; D. a component which nourishes andstrengthens the nails; and E. a component which moisturizes and softenscuticles around the nails.
 2. A cosmetic composition as defined by claim1 wherein the solvent component is ethyl acetate, propylene carbonate,acetone, dimethyl ester or a mixture of two or more of these solvents.3. A cosmetic composition as defined by claim 1 wherein the stabilizingcomponent is glycerin, propylene glycol, castor oil, isopropyl alcohol,a specially denatured alcohol or a mixture of two or more of thesealcohols.
 4. A cosmetic composition as defined by claim 1 wherein thecomponent which nourishes and strengthens is panthenol, vitamin Eacetate oil or a mixture of these materials.
 5. A cosmetic compositionas defined by claim 1 wherein the component which moisturizes andsoftens is glycerin, propylene glycol, castor oil or a mixture of two ormore of these materials.
 6. A cosmetic composition for treating nailswherein the composition essentially comprises: A. water; B. a solventcomponent which is a mixture of ethyl acetate, propylene carbonate anddimethyl ester; C. a stabilizing component which is a mixture ofisopropyl alcohol, castor oil and a specially denatured alcohol; D. anourishing and strengthening component which is a mixture of panthenoland vitamin E acetate oil; and E. a moisturizing and softening componentwhich is a mixture of glycerin, propylene glycol and castor oil.
 7. Acosmetic composition for treating nails, wherein the compositionessentially comprises: A. water; B. a solvent component which is amixture of acetone, propylene carbonate and dimethyl ester; C. astabilizing component which is a mixture of glycerin and propyleneglycol; D. a nourishing and strengthening component which is a mixtureof panthenol and vitamin E acetate oil; and E. a moisturizing andsoftening component which is a mixture of glycerin and propylene glycol.8. A process for treating nails, wherein the process comprises applyingto the nails a cosmetic composition as defined by claim
 1. 9. A processfor treating nails, wherein the process comprises applying to the nailsa cosmetic composition as defined by claim
 6. 10. A process for treatingnails, wherein the process comprises applying to the nails a cosmeticcomposition as defined by claim 7.